SWEET AND LOW
************
He couldn't believe it. He could taste that damn sweet tea. When she parted her lips slightly under his, it was there. Before he could comment, she uttered a sweet low moan deep in her throat and they deepened the kiss.
She couldn't believe it. She was kissing him with the taste of that damn sweet tea on her breath. She would have grabbed a mint but who knew they were heading for this? His lips grew more insistent and she heard herself moan. They deepened the kiss.
Then, they needed air. Josh Lyman and Ainsley Hayes broke apart and stared at each other in surprise. A myriad of questions raced through their minds. They stayed silent but stayed connected by gripping arms.
There'd been no indication earlier in the evening they'd end up in Ainsley's hallway sampling each other's mouths. No one would have predicted they could be quiet for that long...
**
Ainsley was determined to get Josh up to date on all the subpoenas and legal orders from the M.S. hearings. She'd volunteered to do it after seeing the blank look on his face at a Senior Staff meeting.
They were a third of the way through things but kept getting interrupted. Ainsley lost track of the number of times that Toby, Sam, C.J., Ed, Larry and Margaret on Leo's behalf butted in. Part of the problem stemmed from Donna's absence. She'd gone out to dinner leaving Josh's door unguarded.
"That's it. We're out of here." Ainsley made the declaration as Ginger came in with a note from Toby. "Grab your stuff and follow me, Josh. Ginger, please let everyone know we're incommunicado."
Josh dutifully followed. He figured they were going to Ainsley's dungeon office. But she led him toward the exit. As they signed out, she said, "We'll go to my place and get through all this before dawn or before the gavel comes down."
The plan worked. Ainsley put him at her kitchen table with soft, relaxing music not persistent telephones in the background. In the quiet atmosphere with Ainsley's patient explanations, Josh grasped all the legal nuances. "Now I don't feel stupid. I AM a lawyer."
"Of course you are, a lawyer I mean, not stupid. You just couldn't concentrate with all those distractions."
"Always been like that. I used to live at the library in law school. This had the same effect. Maybe I'll call you Marian the Librarian."
"Not if you want me to answer." Ainsley stretched her arms over her head. "Or not if you want something to eat."
Josh noticed that the sweater under her suit jacket rode up exposing her midriff. "Food? Better than the library."
"Nothing too fancy - I've got sandwich stuff."
"Sure, sounds good. Anytime I get something not in a wrapper or a take out container, I'm a winner." He shifted around in the chair. Since Rosslyn, his body cramped up easily.
She left for a second giving Josh a chance to study the kitchen. He was struck by how simple and uncluttered it looked. She had pictures and posters on the wall. A breakfast bar separated the kitchen from a great room that combined the dining and living areas. He figured the rest of the rooms ran off the hall.
Ainsley came back in minus her jacket. On closer inspection Josh noticed she was barelegged and barefoot. She shrugged when she saw him staring at her feet. "I wanted to get comfortable."
He could understand that. Even though he'd loosened his tie, it was still putting him in a stranglehold. "Should I wash my hands at the sink?"
"The powder room is over there."
Josh grinned, "Great. I'll take a powder to powder my nose."
He came back with his jacket draped over his arm, his tie off and his shirt sleeves rolled up. Josh found a sandwich at his place with chips and pickles. Ainsley had placed an array of condiments near the plate. "Wow, three kinds of mustard. I'm impressed."
"I didn't know what you liked. What do you want to drink? I have tea, milk, soft drinks or I can make coffee or hot tea."
"Iced tea is fine, thanks."
She put a glass of iced tea in front of him. He noticed it was garnished with a sprig of mint and he smiled at the Southern gentility. Josh automatically reached for a packet of artificial sweetener. He stirred in two servings of "Sweet and Lo".
She had her back to him finishing her own sandwich. Ainsley heard him suddenly sputter and swear. "Josh, what's wrong?"
"This tea. It's enough to give me diabetes. Do you have industrial strength "Sweet and Lo"?
"No, but it's sweet tea."
"What is that?"
"You know, the kind you boil the sugar into."
"It should come with a warning label."
"Typical Democrat. Regulate everything, no personal responsibility."
"Funny. Typical Republican refusing to label toxic waste as a health hazard."
"Fine." She grabbed his glass and dumped it into the sink. She poured a glass of milk. "Drink this but I'm warning you, it's skim milk."
"Okay." He watched as she sipped her own glass of tea. "Amazing."
"I guess it just becomes what you're accustomed to. I should have warned you, Yankee."
"Can't imagine being used to that."
"Coming from one who turns a burger into shoe leather. . ."
"Point taken. Truce.", Josh laughed.
They let the talk turn to other areas like Beltway Bills, Beltway Budgets and Beltway Gossip. They avoided the subject of sanctions against the President. Josh was enjoying the conversation and company. He had an unfamiliar feeling, he was relaxed.
Ainsley asked him if he wanted another sandwich. He shook his head. She cleared their dishes. Josh started to help and Ainsley told him to stay put. "You're my guest."
"You know, sometimes your conservative sensibilities work."
She rapped him in the head. "Shut up. Do you want dessert? I have ice cream."
"No thanks. Brain freeze on top of brain injury isn't good. My taste buds are still drenched in sweet, way too sweet."
"Okay." She finished cleaning up and sat back down. They stared at each other and things were suddenly silent.
Josh stood up and draped his jacket over his arm. "I should get going."
Ainsley showed him the door and thanked him for coming. Josh laughed, "You ARE polite. I should be thanking you for taking pity on me by enlightening me and feeding me."
He reached out and pulled her to him in a hug. She was surprised but responded and said, "Maybe you should just thank me for not poisoning you with a sucrose overdose." Ainsley laughed up at him.
He tapped her on the nose and replied, "I'm on to you."
It had been a warm, friendly evening like those he'd shared with Donna and C.J. Just figured he'd do here what he'd done there.
He leaned in to give Ainsley a light kiss and then everything changed as their lips met.
**
Josh had to say something. "What was that?"
"Do I have to explain it?"
"No. I know what it was, I didn't know where it came from. I can't explain but you know what I mean."
"Sort of. It's fine, Josh."
"I would hope so."
"No, I'm fine, we're fine. I didn't mean the kiss."
"What was wrong with the kiss?", he couldn't figure out why he was annoyed.
"Nothing."
"Nothing was wrong with it or you felt nothing?"
"Oh for gosh sakes, don't be an ass."
"ME? You're the one. . ." Ainsley cut off his words with her mouth. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him again.
This wasn't light and friendly it was filled with passion and purpose. Josh tugged her closer and he moved his hands up on her waist to touch the skin there.
He heard another moan and a gasp. Her tongue tangled with his as she tilted her head back and pulled his head down toward her.
Josh couldn't stop himself. He wanted more of the heat for them. He pressed her to him and groaned as her body melded to him. This craving wasn't going to be satisfied with just steamy kisses and groping hands.
Ainsley let her mouth slide from his and leaned into his chest. "Well, I guess that proved a point, some point. I can't remember what point though."
He stepped out of his shoes. "I should go."
"Sure, no problem." She took his jacket and draped it over a hall table.
"I'll see you at work." Josh leaned on the wall to pull off his socks.
"Drive safely." She went past him to lock the door and turn out the light.
Their hands found each other. Josh linked his fingers with hers and pulled them towards his mouth. He brushed a kiss over her knuckles and smiled when she shivered. "Ainsley, are you sure?"
She went to her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. "Give me a few minutes and then it's the last door on the left."
She left a wake of fragrance. Josh was left with a sudden attack of nerves. He'd been so swept up in their actions, he'd almost forgotten that these days he was no physical prize.
He had been very selective since the shooting about showing his body. He was afraid of sending a woman screaming from the bedroom with his patchwork of scars.
Josh knew he could leave a note and flee but that would hurt Ainsley. He felt sick as he wondered if she'd reject him for not being a perfect specimen like Sam or some Republican stud.
"Josh?" He heard Ainsley's voice from her bedroom.
"Yeah, on the way."
He set his shoulders and decided on a plan. He'd pleasure her and when she was sated, he'd try to leave. If that failed, he'd make sure the room was dark and her hands didn't wander. After they were finished he could leave and dress under cover of darkness.
**
Ainsley felt butterflies in her stomach along with a pang of desire. Josh had stunned her and she expected more. His suits indicated a solid body and the arms that wrapped around her were strong and reassuring. She didn't want to disappoint him and glanced around the room one more time as he pushed the door open.
Candles lit the room that was done in rose and green tones. Josh caught their scent and then he caught sight of Ashley standing in the center of the room. A ribbon pulled her hair back. She wore a little lace and satin thing in red. His mouth went dry, "Hi."
"Hi." She saw him let his eyes sweep the room. They took in the turned down bed and he smiled. The smile widened as he gave her a more thorough look.
"Ainsley, you look incredible. This is quite a set up and in a short time."
"Hey, when opportunity presents itself, Republicans move. Democrats want to waste money and time on hearings and studies."
He snorted, "You must be pretty self conscious if you're bringing politics into this."
"You're wrong." She played with the ends of the hair ribbon letting her actions betray her words.
"I like that you went to all this trouble." Josh took a step closer. "I like it even more that you're jittery."
"I said I'm. . ." Ainsley's feet left the ground as Josh swept her to him. He cut off her protest with a kiss.
Her arms wound around his waist and stroked his back as her mind went blank with the kiss. Instinctively, she craved the warmth of his skin. She tugged his shirt out of his pants and eased one hand under it and the T-shirt covering his body.
Josh jumped at the sensation and stopped kissing her. "Ainsley, stop."
"Stop touching you?"
"Yeah, you broke my rhythm."
She was confused and took a step back. "Meaning?"
"I don't mean anything. I'm still freaked out at our speed here." He was offering them an out.
She bit her lip and lust punched him in the stomach as he contemplated nibbling on it himself. Her voice refocused him. "I see. You're saying we should reconsider or stop all together."
"Neither, exactly."
"Spit it out, Josh." Embarrassment and anger vied for control. The ends of the hair ribbon fluttered with the deep breath she took and tickled her shoulder. It was like a pesky gnat and had to go.
Ainsley reached her arms over her head to attack the ribbon. Josh watched the lace edged hem creep up. It exposed more of luscious legs as it barely skimmed her thighs.
He felt himself hardening as she pulled the ribbon out and shook out her hair. "Oh, God.", he muttered.
She looked at him and liked what she saw. She turned to put the ribbon on the dresser and spritzed on some perfume. She came to Josh and kissed him lightly on the lips. Her hand moved from her waist over the bulge in his pants. "Don't say anything, your body is better than a lie detector."
Her laugh and her perfume intoxicated him. Ainsley started to unbutton his shirt from the bottom. She pressed herself closer to him as buttons came undone. He moved her hair from her face leaving her ear exposed.
His teeth nipped at her ear lobe and then he circled his tongue there. She ground against him but still shoved the shirt off his shoulders.
Her hands repeated their foray to touch his skin. This time she made it under the T-shirt without any objection. Josh figured she'd tire of that when his hands roamed.
Ainsley's fingers made circles on his back imitating his tongue in her ear. She murmured his name and they were lost in their passion. Ainsley nearly missed a beat when she caressed a spot on Josh's skin and it felt different. The texture wasn't the same.
He decided to get them going in another direction. "Ainsley, put your arms around me so I can really kiss you."
"I'm not sure I could survive a real kiss. These imitations are pretty potent. One sec." She had nimble fingers that easily undid his belt, his zipper and his pants lay on the floor. Once more she let her fingers travel between his legs.
She started to tug at his white T-shirt. Josh put his lips to her neck. "One sec is over. My turn."
He nibbled the area between a thin red strap and her neck. Then, he put her arms around his neck and ran his fingers through her hair. "Your taste in lingerie works well. The color is a male fantasy but the lace almost makes it proper. Of course, what's under it goes back to fantasy land."
"I have a very active account at 'Lavender and Lace'".
Josh traced a finger over the lace. The wedge shaped lace inset cut across the bodice and tapered to a point just below Ainsley's waist. There was nothing too revealing but definitely thought provoking.
After he let one finger trace the lace outline, he brought both hands to her shoulders. He looked into her eyes and then closed his. Ainsley was shaken by how vulnerable he seemed. She kissed Josh all over his face and begged, "Touch me, please."
"My pleasure." His hands slid from her shoulders and traveled lightly over her breasts. He made a sensual observation. "If I slide the material, it's just the silk over you. If I move you, it's the lace. Different textures, different reactions."
Ainsley sighed and put a hand on his shoulder. His fingers became more insistent, teasing her nipples to points. Her breasts filled his hands, another agreeable shock since Ainsley hid that asset well.
He bent his mouth to nuzzle through the material. She shifted her body trying to get more of the sensation. Josh's hand found a path from her chest to her leg. He stroked her thighs first on the outside. He worked his way to her inner thighs running his fingers lightly on her skin.
She felt tingles stretching from head to toe. The sensations were most intense at her center. Josh didn't touch her there even as she silently wished for it. He reached both hands under the short gown and brought her close as he kneaded her backside. He kissed her until their heads spun finally whispering, "Time for bed."
He backed her to the edge of the bed lowering her to pink sheets. "You are very organized, clean sheets that have even been ironed."
"I move quickly when I want to." She nudged him to her side and sent his nerves jangling with kisses along his jawline. He turned his head to give her more area to sample.
From that angle he caught a glint of color near the ceiling. He focused on it. "Ainsley, are there stars in your bedroom?"
"Huh? What?" She glanced up. "Oh, that. Well, um. . ."
Josh sensed her skin warming. "Why are you blushing?"
"It's a crystal. Feng Shui."
"Why is it hanging over the bed?"
"See, it's supposed to improve your love life if it's hanging there."
"Really. Can't hurt." He was surprised that the practical, clear thinking woman in his arms studied Eastern ways.
She waited for him to laugh. When the cynical, logical man holding her didn't, she relaxed. That loosened her tongue. "That's the reason for the sheets too."
"You don't need the wisdom of the East to know clean sheets are a good thing."
She laughed enjoying being with Josh. He must have felt it too because he hugged her closer. They let the silence fill the room for a minute.
Ainsley spoke up, "It's not that they're clean even though I'm sure that's important. It's the color. Pink sheets enhance and stimulate your love life."
"An interesting theory. Let's test it. Is this stimulating?" He slid a hand under the flimsy material covering her body and stroked her skin.'
She arched to his touch and said, "Not sure. You better keep doing it."
"Okay." He eased the gown up over her hips and bent his mouth to her stomach. He nuzzled and kissed the smooth skin working up towards her breasts. One hand already rested there.
His touch heated her skin. "Josh, let's get me out of this. I don't want you to struggle." She smiled.
"Excellent idea though this is nice and you look lovely in it." Her kiss answered that comment.
It was discarded and he told her she looked even lovelier. Then his communication became nonverbal. He sampled and tasted her skin from shoulder to waist. His mouth latched onto her breast. She whimpered softly when his teeth scraped her nipple.
He shifted his body over hers to give her other breast equal attention. Warmth vied with goose bumps for control of her skin. She forced her eyes open and remarked, "You're overdressed."
"Shhhh. I'm concentrating on you."
"It's distracting me." She started to run her hands over him.
"See, then I'm not doing my job. I can do better." He increased the pressure of his mouth on her breast. Her moan signaled him it was time to ease a hand down her body.
When his fingers touched her center, she gasped out his name and brought her fingers to his head. "That's good."
His hand found her clitoris and she squeaked, "That's better." He stroked her faster and she lost her power to speak. As he sensed the orgasm seizing her he bit gently on her nipple and she screamed his name in pleasure.
Ainsley loved the volcano erupting in her body. She tugged Josh's head up and looked into his eyes. "Biting, huh? My turn." She sharply bit his lower lip.
His "Ouch" made her grin. "Sissy." She nibbled lightly on his lips. But she grew more aggressive when his hand cupped her. This time, his fingers moved into her easing through the warm wetness.
She slid her tongue in and out of his mouth with growing speed. His fingers at her core mimicked the motion. Quickly he took her up again and let her crest.
Josh watched Ainsley coming back down. He'd reveled in her responses. She seemed half asleep now. He took it as a good sign. He'd tire her out and she'd be out before she could finish undressing him.
He plunged his tongue into her center and signs of Josh's laziness vanished. She felt like someone had stripped all the air and blood from her body. She was fighting for breath and something to hang onto when waves of tension and anticipation began to build.
Her sounds enthralled Josh. He figured one more orgasm would leave her drained physically and sleepy. He regretted he wouldn't know the pleasure of their bodies mating. He fought back images in his head of pushing into her and then emptying himself inside her. He shut down those thoughts knowing he would give that up to keep her from being repulsed by his body.
He inwardly cursed that night at Rosslyn once more. Josh concentrated on Ainsley to distract himself. He moved his tongue up into her as his hands alternated dancing in her center and stroking her thighs.
She cried out, she called out "Josh" and then she was left with nothing but low, sweet sounds that delighted him. Ainsley's body shook with another powerful wave of fulfillment.
Josh hauled himself back to the top of the bed and caressed her body. She pulled his head to her chest and said breathlessly, "Listen to the effect you have on my heart."
She nestled him there and he listened to the rapid tattoo. She traced designs on his neck and shoulder to help calm her breathing. "Thank you, Josh."
He felt humbled and kissed her neck before nuzzling her shoulder. "You're welcome. I had a good time. Now, shhhh. Let's unwind."
"Not until we finish what you've started."
"Are you some insatiable alien?"
"No, I just believe in equality."
"For the sexes? That's un-Republican."
"Politics does make strange bedfellows. I believe in equality when it comes to sex. So far, it's been all me."
"Objections?"
"None your honor. But now I want to move my hands over your body and use my mouth for things other than talking."
"I'm fine. It's just nice to be here like this with you." He swallowed hard as she moved her free leg over him. He reminded himself this had to be enough.
She slid her leg over his as she pulled a piece of her hair across her face in a silky mustache. She said thoughtfully, "You are avoiding me."
"I'm not and that's obvious. I can't believe I've found the one woman who complains about a man intent on foreplay."
"But there needs to be play too, Josh. Some kind of crescendo, not just preludes."
"You're greedy. Really, just think about closing your eyes and letting the day go."
She let her fingers travel over his chest as his words washed over her. She stopped. "Now, I've got it. You're setting me up."
He snapped out of the relaxing haze her body was providing. "I'm not following you, Ainsley."
"This will be quite a coup for the locker room. You can tell the boys about the Republican you bagged. I'm sure Toby, Sam, Ed, Larry and the rest will love hearing about your session with me. This was just an excuse for some cheap thrills."
She pulled her leg off of him and drew away to the outside edge of the bed. Josh wasn't relieved, he was miserable. Their lovely time was ruined, another casualty of that night at the Newseum.
He reached a hand to her shoulder and she shook it off. "Ainsley, please. You are wrong."
"You don't want me near you or being intimate with you."
"Okay, you are right about that." He hesitated, "But not for the reasons you said. It's me, not you. Please, look at me."
She did reluctantly because she didn't want him to see the tears in her eyes. "I don't fall into bed immediately as a matter of course."
"Me neither, especially since the shooting."
"Josh?", she sounded puzzled.
His voice was bitter. "In a way, you're lucky. I'm sure if it was before that, I'd have given you a lot less attention."
He glanced at her bedside clock. "I'd probably already be out the door or at least snoring next to you."
"What's different now? Is it your outlook because you cheated death?"
"Kinda. Actually, I cheated death but the grim reaper got in some good licks. It took them nearly 14 hours for the first surgery."
"But you're fine now."
He shrugged, "I guess. But I'm not the same. One of the biggest changes is in my body."
Suddenly, Ainsley understood. "You're afraid to let me see your scar?"
"Scars. And yeah I'll admit it, I don't relish the sight of them ending a beautiful woman's throes of passion."
"I can't speak for all women but you're selling me short. I'm not that shallow."
"Hey, I would be if things were reversed."
"No Josh, you wouldn't."
Your faith in someone you barely know is touching."
"We're not really strangers. We've worked together, we've socialized together and now. . ." She waved a hand over the bed.
"I didn't plan this and when I figured out where we were heading, I didn't want you repulsed by me."
"You're not Frankenstein's monster." Her hand came back to Josh's chest. "I think like him though you're worried about rejection."
"Feng Shui obviously brings you clarity of mind." Josh's words were light but she heard the underlying tension and longing.
She gentled her voice. "Don't sell me short. I promise, it'll be fine. I won't hurt you. I just want us both to find that sweet release."
Ainsley ranged herself over him and kissed him. She used her tongue to lightly trace his lips. It was a bare breeze and Josh opened his mouth craving more. Her hands ran up and down his arms.
He wanted to believe that her responses would be the same if she saw all of him. She stopped the kiss long enough to look him in the eye, "Trust me."
Josh nodded daring to hope.
Ainsley straightened up and pulled him to his knees. They knelt torso to torso. "T-shirt or boxers off first?"
He did a mental inventory of his scars. "Boxers, if that's okay."
She leaned in to kiss him and tugged them down. "Fine with me." Her hands moved over his bare legs as she inched over them with a feathery touch. She kept his eyes locked on hers and she smiled. "You've got great thighs. I love the muscles. This is a good sign of things to come."
She was trying to be soothing but he was nervous. She edged closer and worked her hands to his butt. "Okay?"
He nodded as her fingers set more of his skin on fire. She moved her hands further up on his back. She hit a small place she'd encountered before where the skin felt different. She somehow gentled her touch more. "Now I know, that's one of the spots."
"Yeah." He took a steadying breath. "A draining tube to help beat a small infection."
She kissed him as her hand memorized the spot and then her hands went to his waist and under his shirt.
Ainsley trailed them around his waist and to the front. "Ready?"
He smiled, "I think you'll find I am." He guided her hand down. She found Josh half erect as she let her fingers explore. Her actions moved from gentle to insistent. A small groan escaped from his throat.
"Get the boxers off, please."
He contorted himself to free his legs and tossed his underwear to the floor. She draped her arms around his neck after he returned to kneeling in front of her. "Josh, I think I need you to kiss me."
He obliged and his needs surged through the kiss and his lower body. She felt him growing harder as his member brushed over her. She whispered against his lips, "This is going to be worth the wait."
Her hands moved up and into his hair. She framed his face asking softly, "May I please take your shirt off?"
Josh let out the breath caught in his chest and nodded.
She slid her hands down his arms to the edge of the T-shirt. She wondered if she should remove it slowly or just yank it off like a bandage on a cut.
Her instincts told her to go easy on him. It was confirmed when a spasm of fear crossed over his face as she barely inched the fabric up.
She made soothing sounds as her fingers continued to hike it higher on his body. "Almost there.", she murmured and pulled it over his head.
Josh watched her closely as her eyes took in his torso. She smiled but it was tinged with sadness. "I'm sorry you were hurt like this. Let's make it better."
She bent to run her hands over his chest. Ainsley traced the main scar and the smaller ones branching over it.
To Josh's relief, she didn't flinch. To Josh's amazement, she didn't turn away but moved her lips to his chest. She planted kisses down the path of the scars. He shook with emotion at her compassion. "Ainsley, it's okay."
"No, it's not. But we'll do our best to make it not matter." She pressed him back towards the pillows. When he was stretched out, she straddled him. "I can work better from this position."
Her kisses and caresses remained light and tender. From this angle, her long blonde hair brushed over him. He could feel his need growing but Ainsley's actions also offered him a comfort he'd been missing.
Her thoughts tangled with her passions. The scars were noticeable over his heart and sternum. They weren't red and violent on his body anymore. She could see them fading to pink and healing. But inside of Josh it was obviously still raw and sore.
He offered no objections so Ainsley decided to be bolder. She continued to stroke the newer skin but her tongue flicked his nipple on the unscarred side. He moaned and she said, "Nothing wrong with the way your body responds."
Josh was slowly going insane as she crawled all over his body. He combed his fingers through her hair enjoying its gleam from the candle glow, the outside light filtering in through the bedroom curtains and the crystal reflection above the bed.
Her fingers traveled to his shaft. He croaked out her name when she fisted around him. Her mouth followed her hand down his body.
She made him harder with her lips and tongue. Josh decided she'd been right, she could do more with her mouth than talk. The room slowly began to close in around him. The yellow haze of her hair ran into a rainbow of colors from the crystal and the inside of his brain.
He was about to explode but didn't care. Ainsley heard the hitch in his breathing and considered her options. She wanted Josh to be in charge for their finale. He needed it and she wanted to feel him inside her.
She removed her mouth from him but kept her fingers in place. "Josh, fill me up. Please."
He found the strength to flip her onto her back. She looked up at him and said, "I like your muscle control."
Josh smiled feeling powerful and free. "You're pretty inspiring. Let me offer some final proof of its working order."
He brushed her hair back so it fanned out on the pillow. He brought his lips to hers and as their mouths joined he slid into her. Her well-satisfied muscles took a minute to respond to his invasion.
But as Josh climbed higher inside her, he felt her muscles grip him. He built up speed and Ainsley whimpered her approval low in her throat.
He ended the kiss and ordered, "Look at me. We need that connection, see what you've made possible."
She looked into his eyes and watched them darken as he panted, "I'm ready."
Ainsley moved her hips higher for more friction as she tried to catch up with him. He filled her and it was his final thrust that sent her over the edge.
Now she was satisfied and pleasantly exhausted. Josh felt buoyant, confident and comforted. He couldn't believe his patchwork body hadn't turned Ainsley off. He remained inside her and brought his forehead to hers. "Thank you, you're very persuasive and talented."
"I'd say we're both good at what we do." She brought a hand to his cheek. "You're okay?"
"Oh yeah. Better than okay." He pulled out of her and automatically cuddled her to keep the connection intact.
Ainsley was surprised. She hadn't figured on Josh to be that kind of guy. She responded by turning into him. The stillness filled the room as they wound down letting their minds slow with their hearts and breathing.
Josh took a deep, steadying breath. "It was a single gun shot. It lacerated my pulmonary artery. The doctors couldn't do a Gortex patch. They had to stitch and plug the old fashioned way."
Her fingers unconsciously skimmed the areas he described. Josh continued, "They also collapsed my lung. I don't remember much after they told me that. I was in surgery 14 hours."
She nodded and he remembered, "I already told you that."
"I knew the bare facts but now I know how you got this little scar." She sidled down to kiss it. "Usually, I'm sure they're made to reinflate the lung. You don't have to tell me anything else."
"It's not a problem." He felt better when she eased up to snuggle her head under his chin. "It's a good thing I had my once a week blood pressure check today. I'm sure you've sent it to record highs."
"Part of your follow up, I guess. I don't get mine checked that often but I'm sure it matched yours, starting, oh, around the time you first put your hands on me in the hallway."
"You seem calmer now."
"Drained and delighted." She reached up to kiss him. "I must have had a subconscious motive when I introduced Donna to Cliff."
"Devious along with beautiful and brainy." He rubbed her arm, "I want to take you out to dinner."
"Well, sure but that's sort of the cart after the horse. It's not necessary. I don't feel cheated."
"You deserve to be wined and dined. It'll be good for my image too."
"I see, I'm window dressing."
"I probably would spend the dinner thinking about undressing you, in front of the window is optional." Josh yawned.
She noticed the candles burned down low. "We're at that awkward part of the evening." Ainsley propped her elbow on the bed and added her chin to her fist. "Let me make it easy for you."
"You've done that all night."
"I'm on a roll. If you'd like to leave, I'll understand. If you'd like to stay, I'll understand."
He didn't hesitate, "I'll stay. Thank you for the invitation."
"Great, I'll even make breakfast."
"Before we get there, I should warn you. . ."
"You snore?"
"Maybe, but I know I get spasms. My right leg and arm get stiff but I'll try not to kick you or wake you if I have to walk it off."
She touched his cheek tenderly. "Don't worry, it's not a problem."
Josh laughed self-consciously, "At least I won't wake you with my screams because of nightmares. Those are less of a factor since I started counseling."
Ainsley wasn't sure how to respond to that so she looked for a distraction. She found it by pulling the sheet over them.
Josh fingered it. "Guess Feng Shui has something to it. The sheets and your crystal seemed to have done their bit to enhance the atmosphere."
She laid her hand over his and quickened his pulse with gentle movements. "Don't forget those." She pointed to the back right corner of the room. "I followed the tip that said to hang quotes about love in that location. It's to draw romance in."
"After an evening with you, I can't imagine you'd have to work that hard to attract it."
"You'd be surprised."
"Work, something about work. Oh man, that's too weird."
"What?"
"It's not quite Feng Shui but it is from same part of the world. I had Chinese for lunch and the fortune cookie fortune suddenly makes sense."
"Josh, what did it say?"
"Something like, 'you'll get more secure and confident in your relationships with coworkers.'"
"You're kidding."
"Am not. I saved it, I'll show it to you tomorrow."
"That's uncanny."
"Guess the Eastern mystics had plans for a Southern Magnolia and a Connecticut Yankee." He reached for her and they kissed long and tenderly.
"Need anything?", she asked.
"No, hope I'm not too restless." He turned to face out and she cuddled up against him. Josh's breathing slowed as he easily drifted off to sleep.
She reached over his shoulder and once more traced his scars. Suddenly, the room closed in on her and she had to flee the bed. Ainsley picked up Josh's discarded clothes and carefully arranged them to avoid more wrinkles.
She ran a hand down the front of his dress shirt imagining them cutting it away in a frantic effort to stop his bleeding and save his life. She was sure those clothes were preserved somewhere as evidence of the violence at Rosslyn.
Ainsley remembered her internship at a North Carolina County District Attorney's office. She'd seen evidence files showing what guns did to the human body. She studied photos of powder burns and wrote summaries from them of wounds including the size of powder burns and the entrance and exit points.
But it was all abstract. She'd never visited a shooting scene. She'd never even known anyone who'd been shot.
Nothing had swayed her ardent belief in the right to bear arms. She'd been as rabid about fighting any attempt at gun control as most of the West Wing was in trying to institute it in some form.
Ainsley bent to blow out candles and flashed back to her first night at the White House. She and Sam were getting reacquainted when Josh breezed through Leo's office. She smiled recalling that Josh had misunderstood her name but accepted her correction graciously.
Ainsley's grip on his shirt tightened as she heard again her spirited debate with Sam about guns. Sam had passionately reminded her that only two centimeters and brilliant surgeons had saved Josh. He justified the Bartlet White House opposition to guns with that.
She'd responded loudly that they just didn't like people with guns and conveniently skipped that part of the Bill Of Rights that made it okay for people to enjoy guns. Josh had remained silent but what had he thought of her?
Tears rolled down her cheeks thinking now of the cost Josh paid. She could see that his family and friends paid it too.
Since that first night, she'd kept her views mostly to herself. Now, they were tempered by this night of passion and vulnerability that she and Josh had shared.
Josh whimpered and threw back his arm as if searching for something or someone. She quickly slid into the bed to offer sweet and low soothing sounds as she spooned against him. She added caresses and kisses to help him settle back in.
At least for tonight, Ainsley hated guns as much as the most liberal member of the Bartlet White House. She joined Josh in an uneasy sleep wondering about why the fates brought them together.
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